Newcastle have allayed any fears that England defender Kieran Trippier picked up an injury during the club’s end-of-season friendly clash with Tottenham in Australia.
Trippier, who had started the game in front of a crowd of 78,419 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, lasted just 37 minutes before he was replaced by after apparently taking a kick on his ankle.
However, the Magpies have confirmed that the 33-year-old full-back’s withdrawal was “pre-planned” as he works his way back to full match fitness ahead of Euro 2024, and he was present for a group photograph at the end of the match.
Trippier, who was named in Gareth Southgate’s 33-man training squad on Tuesday, had previously made just three appearances for his club since the beginning on March after being sidelined by a calf injury.
Southgate will have to reduce the party to 26 by June 7 and the Magpies defender, a veteran of England’s last three finals campaigns, will hope to win a seat on the plane.
It was the Magpies eventually prevailed 5-4 on penalties with youngsters Joe White, Ben Parkinson,Mark Gillespie, Garang Kuol and Harrison Ashby all scoring from the spot after substitute keeper Mark Gillespie had saved Bryan Gil’s opening attempt.
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has soaked up the “special” experience of bringing the Premier League giants to his hometown Melbourne despite a friendly loss on penalties to Newcastle United.
James Maddison’s goal in the 31st minute, after a sustained period of dominance from Spurs, broke the deadlock before Alex Isak responded in the 45th.
Australian young gun Garang Kuol, 19, made his Newcastle debut in the 71st minute and with the scores locked at 1-1 at fulltime, Wednesday’s game went straight to penalties.
In front of a bumper crowd of 78,419 fans, Kuol took Newcastle’s fourth penalty and converted, with Eddie Howe’s charges winning the shootout
